California legal company, TicketKick, warns of red light camera telephone scams- when drivers are coerced into giving up credit card or personal information over the phone for an alleged red light camera ticket. TicketKick helps drivers become more aware of the difference between real red light camera tickets and red light camera scams, what to avoid, and how drivers can safeguard themselves.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) September 27, 2011In addition to fighting the high fines associated with red light camera tickets, California drivers must beware of another type of red light camera worry. It's one of the newest types of identity theft scams and it comes as a phone call from a government official impersonator, demanding payment for an alleged red light camera ticket said to have never been paid. TicketKick, California's leading resource for traffic ticket defense, specializing in red light camera tickets, aims to help inform and protect drivers from these types of scams by publishing blog articles and social media alerts and offers free consultations over the phone. As more and more cities in California utilize red light camera systems, it can be confusing for people to know what are legitimate tickets that they must respond to, and what could be considered a scam.
The red light scammer may ask for the driver's personal information such as their name, driver's license number, address, social security number or credit card number. They may threaten to suspend the person's license unless they pay the caller immediately for the alleged ticket fines over the telephone or by providing a credit card number through email. Drivers should be clearly aware of the differences of the ways scammers use fake red light camera tickets to trick people, and how the court system really works.
California law sets specific rules and guidelines for the cities to follow when issuing red light camera tickets. Real red light camera tickets must be issued by a qualified police officer and mailed to the address on the vehicle's registration. It would have the driver's information, courthouse information, a due date, and a fine amount due. It would also have a signature by the officer who issued the ticket, and a certificate of mailing. Neither the courts nor the police department contact drivers via phone or email about a traffic ticket or court case. They must correspond by mail to have a paper trail and follow the state guidelines.
TicketKick's founder and president, Greg Muender, shares a few tips on how to avoid getting scammed, and what people can do if they think they may have fallen for it:
"If you get a phone call or email from an alleged police officer or other government official about a red light camera ticket, immediately dismiss its authenticity. Do not give any personal information to the caller such as your name, address, driver's license number, or credit card number. If you are concerned about a possible red light camera ticket you may have never received, contact the courthouse directly, or check the status of your driving record with the DMV. If you think you may have fallen for the scam, contact the police, your credit card company, and the credit reporting bureaus."
Another type of red light camera scam may actually come directly from the police department. "Snitch tickets" are notices issued by the police in an attempt to get the recipient to give up information who was driving the vehicle in the red light camera photos so that they can issue a real ticket and file it with the courthouse. Snitch tickets are not real tickets and do not result in any consequences if ignored. Drivers can detect such a fake ticket by examining the following that may or may not be listed on the notice: Does it have courthouse information? Does it say something like, "Do not contact the court about this notice?" Does it have a due date or a fine amount due? Real red light camera tickets generally have all of this information, snitch tickets do not.
Drivers who ignore real red light camera tickets that are filed with the courthouse can expect severe penalties. TicketKick urges all to fight their red light camera tickets, regardless of whether they think they are guilty or not. "Real red light camera tickets are serious matters, but fortunately, they are some of the easiest for us to beat," Mr. Muender added.
About TicketKick
TicketKick is a registered Legal Document Assistant in California, providing self help services to beat traffic tickets, with a similar service model to companies such as LegalZoom and E*Trade. TicketKick works with attorneys in California in developing their defenses, which utilize many different arguments and tactics. TicketKick's goal is to help people get their traffic tickets dismissed, maintaining about a 70% success rate, and offers a refund and a free consultation for guilty verdicts. TicketKick representatives can be reached at (800) 580-1902, at ticketkick.com, or at questions(at)ticketkick(dot)com.
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800-580-1902

TicketKick.com completes legal documents in a professional and ministerial manner at the specific direction of the customer with the goal of helping the customer obtain a traffic ticket dismissal. Although many of TicketKick.com's customers are able to obtain a dismissal of their ticket after utilizing TicketKick.com's Trial By Written Declaration service, for customers who may be found guilty after using the service, TicketKick.com offers a service fee refund, subject to Terms & Conditions. You may email TicketKick.com representatives at questions@ticketkick.com.

Notice to Consumer/Disclaimer: TicketKick.com is not a law firm and purchasing a legal document is not a substitute for legal advice from an attorney. TicketKick.com is owned and operated by Auto Services Direct, Inc., a bonded and registered Legal Document Assistant (Los Angeles County LDA registration no. 2015010849). A Legal Document Assistant cannot provide legal advice and can only provide self-help services like preparing, completing, or filing legal documents or forms at your specific direction and supplying you with attorney - approved written material for your self-help needs. If you choose to use this site or TicketKick.com services you agree that the information provided on this website and information given by TicketKick.com employees is not legal advice and no Attorney - Client relationship is created. We are not an attorney. We cannot perform the legal services that an attorney performs. We cannot engage in the practice of law. This includes providing any kind of advice, explanation, opinion, or recommendation about possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms, or strategies. TicketKick.com's registration is valid until February 1, 2018, after which it must be renewed. To confirm that TicketKick.com is registered, you may contact the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk at P.O. Box 1208 Norwalk, CA 90650-1208, or 562-462-2177, or https://www.lavote.net/. Our corporate offices are located at 5716 Corsa Ave, Suite 112, Westlake Village, CA 91362. Please note that your access to and use of TicketKick.com is subject to additional Terms & Conditions.